‘Fine. More for me.’ She downs her shot, quickly followed by mine. Clenching her eyes shut, she shakes her head slightly as she swallows the liquid. I grin as I watch her. She’s like no other girl I know. I think that’s the thing I love about her most. When her eyes spring open, she looks at me sceptically.
‘When did you become a homophobe?’
‘I’m not a damn homophobe. I have no problem with a guy drinking out of a cock cup, as long as it’s not me.’
When she laughs again, I swear I hear her mumble pussy under her breath, but I’m not entirely sure, so I let it go.
Stalking across the room, I grab the open bottle of Sambuca off her dresser and bring it to my lips.
I’ll give her pussy.
Two hours and an empty bottle of Sambuca later, it’s safe to say we’re both a little drunk. We’re sprawled on her bed, lying side by side and staring at the ceiling. Being on her bed with her is a bad idea, but the alcohol seems to have robbed me of my common sense.
‘I’m going to miss you while you’re away,’ Candice whispers, reaching for my hand. I’m gonna fucking miss her too. My chest aches just thinking about it. ‘Oh, that reminds me, I got you a little present.’ Sitting up, she leaps off the bed.
‘It’s not cock paraphernalia is it?’
‘No, you dick.’ She laughs, coming to sit back down on the side of the bed. ‘Here.’
I look at the parcel in her hand. ‘You shouldn’t have,’ I say rolling onto my side and propping myself onto one elbow.
‘I wanted to. I hope you like it.’
I’ll like it just because it’s from her. When she extends her hand, I take the present before pushing myself into a sitting position.
‘Candice,’ I whisper when I see what’s inside.
‘I know you’re not studying art at uni, but one day you’ll get to fulfil your dream. In the meantime, you can keep all your sketches in there.’
A lump rises in my throat as I gaze down at the black, leatherbound sketchpad. It has Jax’s Dream stamped in silver across the front, and underneath the words Wicked Ink curve around an image of a skull-and-crossbones. This gift signifies so much. She’s the only one who’s ever supported me. I love her for that alone.
‘Thank you,’ I say as my eyes meet hers.
‘You will open your own tattoo parlour one day, Jaxson Albright, I know it.’ I love the conviction in her voice.
A sudden sadness washes over me. ‘How am I going to survive the next few years without you?’
She sighs and looks away from me to watch her fingers swirl a figure-eight pattern in the comforter.
‘Hey,’ I say, placing my finger under her chin and dipping my head to make eye contact with her. When I see tears pooling in her baby blues, it’s like a sucker-punch to the chest. I pull her into my arms. ‘Hey, don’t cry.’
‘You’re the bestest friend a girl could ever ask for,’ she sniffles.
‘And you’re the bestest friend a guy could ever ask for.’ Shit. Did I just utter those words? That would have to be, hands down, the unmanliness thing I’ve ever said. It’s that fucking cock cup, it’s messing with my head. I hear her chuckle through her tears, and I know she’s thinking exactly what I am—I’m a pussy.
‘When am I going to see you again?’
‘There’s a spare room at my apartment in Sydney. Once I’m settled, you can come down and stay some weekends.’
‘I’d like that,’ she whispers.
My thumb sweeps across her cheek, wiping away her tears. It kills me to see her so upset. I wish I didn’t have to leave.
Her eyes lock with mine, and just like in the corridor, something shifts. It’s like the universe has suddenly stopped spinning. I’m frozen. When her gaze flicks down to my mouth, and her tongue darts out to moisten her lips, my need to kiss her again is almost my undoing. I’ve gotta get the fuck out of here. I’m trying to be the good guy, but failing.
Before I get the chance to do anything, her face moves towards mine as her eyes drift shut. The moment our lips connect, all my resolve vanishes. My fingers thread through her hair as I draw her closer, deepening the kiss. I’m so lost in this moment, I’m powerless to stop it.
‘Jax,’ she whispers against my mouth as her body leans forwards, pushing me back down on the mattress. The second she straddles my lap and her sweet lips meet mine again, I know I’m a goner.
‘Candice,’ I breathe as my fingers trail up the length of her legs, coming to rest on her arse. This is my wildest dream and my worst fucking nightmare all rolled into one. I’ve dreamt and dreaded this moment since I first laid eyes on her.